Benjamin b



n e e h S .w e e h s 2 S. S nl H nu T 0 E B B SHELL AND SHELLFUSE.

Patented July 26,1881.

No. 2214.899.V

2 Sheets-Sheet I2 B. HGTCMSS. EEELE EEE SHELL EUSE.

'Nm 244,89@ atentedkuly 26,1881.

Ime/115601',

UNITED` STATES PATENT reine.

BENJAMIN n. HorcnKiss, oit-Naw rena, N. Y.

` VSHELL AND SHELL-Fuse.'

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters ateit No.4 @44,89@ dated July 26, 188i..

I-kpplication filed December 29, '1879.

`4 new temporarily residing in Paris, France,

have invented certain new and useful Improveniente in Fuses and Projectiles, of which tne following is deciared to be such a full, clear,

and exact description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, as will enabie those skilled in the .art to make and use the saine.

The main object ot' this invention is the production of a percussion-fuse that is absolutely eii'ective when it is to operate in inciting the bursting-charge of an explosive projectile, and yet he perfectly secure against accidental or premature discharge during transportation or handling, saidnse at-the same time heing cal, pente ot' automatic action, and' not requiring any manipulation to arm "it before the discharge of the projectile to which it is applied. riCne invention comprehends a inse so con strncted that itsiring-plunger shall at ali times before the discharge of the projectile from the gun support the firing-pin andthe primer ont of contactwith each other, and under the shock oi 'the propeiiing-ciiargc oi' the gun be capable of so changing its relation with respect to the tiring-pin and primer that when the 'projectile is oronghtinto forcihie contact with any hotly the said pinnger shall be suddenly moved for- .'ard and carry the ring-pin and primerinto perciiiseive contact tcprod'uce theignition ofthe iatter an@` canse the explosion of the bursting charge in the body of the projectile. A fuse embodying these characteristics is especially adapted to servo as a bnttfuse; and another object oi' the invention is the construction of a simple and comparatively cheap projectile with which a butt-fuse is adapted to bc used, and by which arrangement perfect operation of the fuse may be insured, no matter atlvvimt angle of defiection t-he projectile may strike.

In the accompanying drawings `various, embodiments of the improvements are represented. A f I A Figure 1 is a sectional elevation ot' a fuse adapted to be mounted in the butt-end of a projectile, the plnn ger and iringpiu standing in lthe positions in which' they are ymovable relatively; to the i'nse-caee--that is, said parts are in the positions occupied when inserted in the projectile, and in which they remainnntil the moment the projectile is discharged. 2 is an inverted plan view of the eamo on line a i of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a plan view ot the npper end ot' the fuse. Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of said i'nse, slimving,` the position as- `sum ed by the plunger relative to the ringpin and inse-case upon vthe discharge of the pro jectile. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the base ot' the inse. 6 is a sectionalr elevation, showing a modification oi' the internal structure of the fuse. Fig. 7 is a pla-n View of the opper entiL ot" the same. Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation ot.1 another modiiication oi the internai structure of this improved fuse. Si is a sectionai elevation of another modification ot' the internal structure of the inse, the construction 'neing such as to adapt it to he applied to the nose end of a projectiie, its internal structure being modified7 as is that shown in Fig. (i, and the parts thereof being in the positions econpied before the discharge of theprojectiie. Fig.

`1G isa sectional elevation ot' the saine, showing i the parts in the positions assumed upon the discharge ot' the projectile. Fig, il isa plan view of the saine on the iine ce of 9. Fig. 12 is a plan view of tne upper end ot' the sai e. Fic'. 13 is a sectional eievation, showing a modification of this latter fuse, Fig'. le is a longitudinal sectional elevation ot' an. improved shrapnei projectile provided at its battenti with this improved fnse. Fig. l5 is .a sirniiair View Vot a like-projectile provided at its battend with this improved fuse.

Before proceeding to a detailed description ofthe precisestruetnre of the varices ineditications containing the improvement-S, it may be observed that one of the principal parts or" the fusethat is, either the firingpin lor the primer-is carried bye comparatively heavy body, which; under certain circumstances, is capable of a short movement in the chamber of the fuse-case on a line parallel with the axis of the projectileto which the fuseis applied.

This heavy body is the plunger, which, inconsequencc of its inertia, effects, iirst, the arming of the fuse at the moment of the discharge of the gen, andaterward the ignition of the .1'5 is sunk, or nearly'sunk', into the face of the y primer when the projectile is suddenly arrested by resistance to its flight, while beforethe discharge the saidjplunger is firmly held in a position that prevents accidental contact of the firing-pin with the primer, or vice versa. This plunger is composed of three parts: first, al

' body, 9, of soft metal, such as lead; second, a

jacket or envelope, 10, of hard metal, as brass, in which the soft-metal body is inclosed; and,

third, a central pin, 7, o" hard metal, the front` end of which either terminates in a point acting as the firin g-pin'or as a carrier for the primer. This central pin, 7, is longer than the plunger 9 10, so that its rear end may project beyond the bottom of said plunger, while its frontend body9 of the plunger. The ent-ire length of this compound parti. c., the plunger and its central pin-is so calculated that when it is inserted in the fuse-case and the screw cap 4 is in place the point of the firing-pin 8 cannot touch the primer 5, and this relation lof the the plunger, in consequence of its inertia, slides rearward -on its central pin until it strikes against the bottom of the fusecase,the forward end of said central pin then standing above the inclosing soft-metal body, ready-to be projected forward tobrin g the firing-pin and primer into percussive contact and cause thecombustion of the latter. The force of this rearward movement of the plunger is so great as to produce a shockthat will' canse its lead body to close tightly around the' central pin, and when the projectile then strikes against any obstacle the inertia of the plunger is overcome and the plunger is driven forward, carrying its central pin with it and bringing the firing-pin yand primer into such forcible contact as to produce the explosion of the primer, the fiame of which will ignite the powder-charge in the projectile.

The use of ,lead or other soft' metal for the body of thelplunger renders the same not lia- .ble to rebound, thusl obviating any liability of explosion from that cause. Proceeding now to a -more' detailed description' ofthe fuse, the fuse illustrated by Fi gs. 1 to 5 and8 will first be explained.

The fusecase 191s of` cylindrical form, open at one end, and having an external thread, 29, cut in it, by means of which it may be attached tothe butt-end of projectile. The head 22 of the fuse-case is of a diameter somewhat larger than its eylindricalpart,to prevent the fuse from being forced inward into the projectile at the moment of its discharge. This head is formed with straight sides, as in Fig. 5, to accommodate the jaws of a screw-wrench in the achof inserting the fuse in its seat in the a l 244.899A

projectile. A thin projecting lip or flange, 23, formed around the base of the head 22, serves as a gas-check by pressing it tightly against Vthe metal ofthe projectile when thc fuse 'is screwed in place and at the moment of the discharge. Thefrontpartof the fusecase is closed by means of a screw-cap, 4, in a cavity ofwhich is arranged the primer V5, the same being held in place 'by means of'a smallscreW-plng, (i, that is perforated by one or more small holes drilled through the same,and which serve as passagesfor the flame ofthe consuming primer into the powder-chamber of theprojcctiie. The central pin, 7, of the plunger in this instance is formed of steel or other suitable metal, to

constitute its forward end a firing-pin, as 8. It is inclosedin thelead or other soft-metal body 9 of the plunger, said body 9 being confined by aja'cket, 10, of brass or similar metal, that serves to prevent the lateral expansion ot the lead body 9 against the inner walls of the fusecase at the moment of discharge.

In order" to hold the lead body and the central pin in their desired relative positions, the

jacket 10 is drawn in at its ends, thus securing the soft-m'etal body 9 firmly in place. 'f' 4 The pin 7 is roughened either by cutting a thread on it or by forming other indentaticns or ridges in or on its surface, with Whichthe surrounding soft metal of the body 9 engages to secure the said pin 7, as will presently appear. The forward end of the pin 7 is tapered to form the ring-pin 8, and is slightly sunlt below the surface ot' the softmetal body Q of the plunger, while the rearward extremity of said piu 7 projects beyond the rearyend et' the plunger. The total length or"- the said plunger thus extended by the pin 7 is exactly equal to the longitudinal chamber ofthe fuse-casein which it is arranged when the cap et is screwed home.

In order to prevent the plunger as thus coinposed from turning in the fusecase during the flight of the projectile to which the fuse is at tached, and the rotary motion et which might otherwise' cause the plunger to work forward on the pin 7, the said plunger is provided with a controlling-guide, wherebyits proper longitudinal movement may be ei'ected, While its rotary movement is prevented. Twov forms of this 'guide are shown. One consistsiu a small lug, 11, that projects from' the -upper end of the .plungerfcase 10 and enters a guide-groove,

ITO

13, cut longitudinally in the inner surface of for its reception. 3.)

-Upoiillie {iisohorge of :i projectile thais provided Wiih this ioiprovoii foso wih its parte pooiiiooo Shown iii Eig. l the opei .l n l ioihe 'vfll'hoasfollows Thr-,j mig, yrain consequence. of its inertial. wiiioh is opposed to-uiie ihoif'orieo the girof'eotile, is foroe rearward he oeoiol `1in7 7, mit-il it slrlzeo the hotgoih o .he {ooo-coso chamberi .lios bringing if Y regirhml oi sail pin aofi that oi' Ehe plunger hilo tho'oziziie Diario, so iliat holh oro sezioil oporitho otlom oi' the fuse-oase. ehzunhrr. 5 The power of this nlovoment of the plongerie such ro cause iis soft-lead body 9 lo omg over the irregular .5 rle-os of Ehe pin 7, md .ias peroussiveioi'oo suoli as to causo the leali boli); il io iiightlg.' fzlose ino, upon, or

zo orouml ho'said pin as ibo plunger is arresed and seared upon he boiom of the fosoehamher, und thus, unito Lilo pio 7 mill plunger as a. single body, as iu Fig'. el. lo order ,5o liroveiitsnch L considerable ooiopoethg'oi the leoil 5 holly *Lo-hd such coiiseouentlriterol explansion oi'lio as would bm' '1 .lie ease or envelope l .lll of the plunger, said hoilyis'provided with :i number' oi' simili holes or cavities, l2, (see FigsyLlgand 6,) or wirh o single one, vwhich 3o holes :iord o space whioh the displaced mei-al of the plunger.

musi; close hoi'ore :my undue strain will he e1;- ert-eli upon the foso oase or envelope. The parts are then (imposed os io Fig. with the firing-pio i proieoiiiig oojrond the forward face The fuse is how armo-.Lond the ports remi-.in in thu-t Condition during the flight of the proieetile. iN-'hoof however, the projeeiilo is suddenly arrested in its eooise lg'etrikiog against any oboaoie, oe plonger 4o is thrown vioiertlv-lorwzird and, iis firiiwaiu l 7 ze Sletriles. p'eieossivehlow upon tho primer causing lho iniimiimrntion of the same, and the Home from the consuming primer passes ,through the holes in Ehe screw-plug 6 into tho q 5 ioWlei.-clia.i;oher ol' the projectile, the Charge in which, heoomiu g i ghied, causes he projectile to burst.

1n the molilieil form oi' this improved fuse .shown in Figs. 6 and 7 the riug-piu 8 is attoched to or projo-ots from the screw-oop 4,

that closes the iorwar end of the fuse-ehom her, and the primer 5 is supported in the forward end of the central pin, of the plunger. in this r11-rangement of he parts it is obvio-os 55 that thoy will have the same relative operation zioerihell to them in the foregoing (leseripiou ofthe structure shown in Figs. l and d, and thetthe ame from the consuming primer will. poss diro-ugh the holes 2G perforate through 6o the screwoap 4, olougide of the firing-pin andentorLhepowderehamher of the projectile.

The moiliioatioo shown iu Fig. S is o ooo- ;Lirutioii differing from iiiac'sliowuin Figo. ood 4 o ily in tho *structure of the screw-oop "55 which, in this instalarlo., iS formed with a cavity in its inner fri-2e for thepri'merwliioh primer,

Vsioiplifie.,

he for-@or historico, ooiisis'os of a s all oasii g filled wil detoootiogmoteriol latter eohsisiif oi" o. small quantity o of suoli im teriril 'eompieiooll eiireeolly into it: holdingcavity. m:

.Lilo siroetoreo shown in lli to 13 ore modi iofl Ylo zidopf., lliim i'or Serv' e in the forward or nose roll of o projectile. To adopt the foe to he iii-ell but i1 "lil: modification is required. *ho simio consisting, primalphilly in providing for lha iiuoe'o theprimer io o romwa l (lireiioi. lo the oliuge-'chronhor oi' ie 'irojee'rie. Ei-iis lienzo-passage ia 'orefera'hly formell by o. hole, E., :lrilieil iougitofiif' ml iii the 'same carries the primer 5, in Figs. 9, lhor the iriiig-pin 8. as in Fig. i3. Io thosemofli- 1 iiciiiohs, Figs. S, ll?, 13, the fromJ end of the fuse-chamber is provided with o removahie' cap or plug, fi, to provide for the iuliroduoion of he internal parto, which cap or plug 4 is o. solid piece having' an inwardlyprojeotiug firing-piu, 8, when tho central pin, 7, is to soppor'o the primarias in Figsand i0; or, when solo oop or'plug to lsupport the primer, it

may ho made of one or two pieces to adapt it to be supplied with said primer, :is in Figs. 18 or 8; bul; when the mode of'holding the primer shown ih F10. is adopted ihe ion'ie passage 2 xviii, of eourse, he closed.

in the mocliliofiion o' the fuse adapting it for use in he forward or noso end'of the projeorile the rearward or 'eu rali-of he foso.

is perforated to provide a paosog'e? 3, whereby the igime from the consuming primer central pin, Lanai 'heuoe through the''lamo passage or passages 3 imo tho ooargoehambei' of o the projectile.

itis well understood that o foso moimei Y in she-nose or forward mi of a projectile is liable to fail, for the reason tha-t when the projeotile strikes laterally, inieod of with. its point, :m impact sulieiem, to ica-use a percossive blow of the plonger is not prouoed, while a i'use situated in the hott or" the projectile el most invariably-fiom. even undor suoli oiroum stances.

Tho production of o: fuse adapted to be used eeciively withA the ooit-emi of a. projectile, which is eoiisuihoiaiecl "by the ooostroosion constituting preeentiuveiatior., enables ille ooiisrooioo oi' shrapu'el-sholls to he m'oeh mainly by suporessiog the central 'purifier-canal. serving to li'reot the .lire of rho fuso at one ood of the proieo'cile to the por?? IISV der-charge at the other end or the same, whereby a chamber of increased dimensions for the reception of .the charge or rfilling ot' the proiectile is obtained, as is readily apparent from ,the 'structures of shralpnel shown in Figs. 14 and 15. The shell or case 21 of the projectile shown in Fig. 14 is cast in a single piece, with openings at its nos'e and batt for the reception of 1o ively. The large chamber A, for the filling or shrapnel, consisting of the bullets 25' and supporting material 26, is an uninterrupted space separated from the pcwder chamber B by 15 means or" a diaphragm, 17, cast with the shell or case 24 in ,such a manner as to provide it with a circular weak point, 38, that is strong f enough to withstand the shock occasioned by `the discharge of the gun, and yet weak enough to bc readily fractured and blown forward by the ignition and explosion of the powdercharge; This diaphragm 17 hasacentral hole, 18, formed by thc core in the operation ofcasting, which hole is so located as to be closed by is ultimately filled.

The bullets 25 are introduced through the opening in the nose, as is the semi-plastic ina-r terial 26, and thesaid opening is then closed by a screw-plug, as 16. The powder-charge is introduced into the chamber E through the opening in the butt for the fuse, and the'projectile is rendered complete by screwing the fuse'into this opening.

35 The projectile shown in Fig. 15 is constructed as follows: Its shell or case 24 is castv Ywith a central chamber havingacircnlar ledge or seat, 27, upon which a diaphragm, 17, of frangible material,l rests, to separate the-powder-chamber B from the shrapnel or lling chamber-A, and the open forward end of the projectile is closed by means of a conical nosepiece, 28, that is screwed into the case ox; f

shell 24. 4 5 A projectile constructed as shown herein is,

a closing-plug, 16, and the butt-fuse, vrespect-l onel of the bullets vwith which the chamber A.`

by reason of the absence of adams-conductor connecting its nose end with the charge-chamber B, adapted to receive and carry a considerable greater quantity of shrapnel than shells of the saine caliber as commonly constructed. This feature renders it' possible to provide shrapnel-shclls of small caliber with great destructive/power, and thus render them greatly effective without increasing their dimensions longitudinally.` I

In order to protect the fuse from rupture or injury after it is fixed in place in the projectiie, the hase end of said projectile is provided with a projecting edge, 30, that provides a cavity in its base, and thus affords a projecting protecting-flange.

Having now fully described ments, what is claimed is l1. 1n a percussion-fuse, a plunger composedI of an' external case of hard metal, a central pin of hard metal, and an interposed body of soft metal, substantially as described.

l2, The combination, with the soft-metal body ofthe plunger, ofthe central pin, 7, having a roughened exterior, substantially as described;I

3. A plunger for percnssive fusesthe of which, that'surronndsia hard-metal pin, as 7, is provided with a relieving-cavity, as 12, formed in its base, to prevent the same from expanding laterally against the walls of .thc fuse'chamher, substantially asdescribed.

4. A bullet or shrapnel shell thefinterior of' which is .provided with powder and filling chambers transversely separated by a dividing diaphragm ,cast with Valecess', that profidesawveak point joiningit to the main body et' the shell, substantially.asdescribed.4

In testimony whercotl-have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

- the improve- Y y Bi. B. HOTGBQENS. i Witnesses:

' ROBCLMHOQPER,

DAVID FULLER. 

